Messer

The second restaurant from the team behind Copper Pot Seddon, Messer is a modern Berlin diner with interpretations of classic German dishes.

At the helm, owner and Executive Chef Ashley Davis ensures that the restaurant delivers a memorable dining experience with a focus on quality produce from great local producers.

A modern interpretation of a Berlin diner, you can expect German classics amongst modern, progressive dishes. The wine list is similarly interesting with Germany being the dominant influence again.

We loved tasting our way through the ‘Taste Berlin’ degustation menu with wines matched by our lovely host for the evening, Kaylah.

To start, a trio of appetisers graced our presence. The wonderfully savoury Smoked trout ‘sandwich’ whetted our appetites. We loved the utterly crisp paper thin trout skins. The unassuming plate of beetroot was beautiful – a dish that enhanced the natural sweetness and tartness of beetroots by what we were told was a secret pickling recipe. The Mini duck currywurst tasted as delicious as it looked – unctuous and full of flavour.

For entrees we loved the fluffy German wood-fired flatbread baked with crème fraîche, onion and speck. This was a brilliant canvas for the accompanying dish of clams, sweet Riesling and nduja.

Mains continued the trend of the evening – delicious! A picture perfect plate of pretzel crumbed rose veal schnitzel was served alongside potato salad and a wedge of lemon. The schnitzel was cooked to perfection. Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

A German dining experience would of course be incomplete without a hearty bowl of Käsespätzle. This was some of the best we have ever tried and was laced with kale, gruyere and crispy shallots. We later found out this was a well-guarded recipe from Davis’ mother in law and boy are we glad she was prepared to share this secret!

Our visit concluded on a sweet high with Davis’ cheeky take on the classic Apple strudel. An absolutely moreish dessert of various apple textures, filo shards and luxurious burnt butter ice-cream. Just. Yum.

There is a lot to love at Messer - A combination of effortlessly chic ambience, a modern German menu that is both fun and progressive alongside amiable service. We cannot wait to return.

Location: Shop 1, 166 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone: (03) 9419 0035

Link: www.messerfitzroy.com